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Castle
Auction
Castle
Key information
Features and description
- Status: Available
- Type: Land
- Ownership: Freehold
- Occupation: Vacant
- AUCTION DATE: 04 April 2024
ENHANCED TERMS OFFERED ON THIS LOT...
Reduced Buyers Fee: 3% of Sale Price (Min £3250 +vat)
Opportunity to purchase your own 12th century castle set within land on the edge of the river Tyne in stunning countryside MADE FAMOUS BY MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS. Located in EAST LOTHIAN near HADDINGTON OWN THIS beautifully sited ruin of a fortified manor dating back to the 1200s, associated with the Wars of Independence and Mary Queen of Scots. Original castle featured: A central hall block, chamber tower & kitchen tower, featuring a fine rock-cut well. Also featured a stone curtain wall, tower house and chapel. Castle is in ruin. FREEHOLD Hailes Castle is hidden away in the pretty valley of the River Tyne. One of Scotland’s oldest stone castles, it dates from the early 1200s, with major extensions in the 1300s and 1400s. It’s associated with the de Gourlay and the Hepburn noble families, and Mary Queen of Scots’ third husband James Hepburn, 4th earl of Bothwell, may well have been born in the castle. He fled into exile after Mary’s capture in 1567. The castle’s days as a stronghold ended with Cromwell’s invasion in 1650. James Hepburn, 4th earl of Bothwell was probably born at Hailes Castle in 1535. He’s most famous for becoming the third husband of Mary Queen of Scots. Bothwell and Mary stayed at Hailes Castle on their way from Dunbar to their wedding at Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh on May 5, 1567. The marriage proved deeply unpopular, and just over two months later, Mary was forced to abdicate the throne to her infant son, who became James VI. Bothwell fled to exile in Denmark, and was eventually imprisoned there. He’s said to have gone insane before his death in 1578. Following Bothwell’s downfall, the castle passed into the hands of the Stewarts, then the Setons. An attack by Oliver Cromwell’s forces in 1650 effectively ended Hailes’ days as a noble residence. Beautifully sited in the heart of East Lothian. Having seen conflict during the Wars of Independence & Oliver Cromwell's invasion, visited by Mary Queen of Scots and her husband to be James Hepburn. The property is currently maintained by Historic Environment Scotland - free of charge. Located close to the East Lothian country town of Haddington, Superb Development opportunity subject to consents - ALL INVESTIGATIONS MUST BE MADE BY THE BUYER TO SATISY THEMSELVES as to the suitability for development.
Auction Details
04 April 2024, 10am-3pm
Timed Online Auction
How to Bid Now
Submit an enquiry now or visit our website for full details on how to BID ON THIS PROPERTY.
Future Property Auctions - Scotland's Largest Land and Property Auction House. Over 400 lots auctioned every 2 weeks including flats, houses, land & commercial.
Reduced Buyers Fee: 3% of Sale Price (Min £3250 +vat)
Opportunity to purchase your own 12th century castle set within land on the edge of the river Tyne in stunning countryside MADE FAMOUS BY MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS. Located in EAST LOTHIAN near HADDINGTON OWN THIS beautifully sited ruin of a fortified manor dating back to the 1200s, associated with the Wars of Independence and Mary Queen of Scots. Original castle featured: A central hall block, chamber tower & kitchen tower, featuring a fine rock-cut well. Also featured a stone curtain wall, tower house and chapel. Castle is in ruin. FREEHOLD Hailes Castle is hidden away in the pretty valley of the River Tyne. One of Scotland’s oldest stone castles, it dates from the early 1200s, with major extensions in the 1300s and 1400s. It’s associated with the de Gourlay and the Hepburn noble families, and Mary Queen of Scots’ third husband James Hepburn, 4th earl of Bothwell, may well have been born in the castle. He fled into exile after Mary’s capture in 1567. The castle’s days as a stronghold ended with Cromwell’s invasion in 1650. James Hepburn, 4th earl of Bothwell was probably born at Hailes Castle in 1535. He’s most famous for becoming the third husband of Mary Queen of Scots. Bothwell and Mary stayed at Hailes Castle on their way from Dunbar to their wedding at Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh on May 5, 1567. The marriage proved deeply unpopular, and just over two months later, Mary was forced to abdicate the throne to her infant son, who became James VI. Bothwell fled to exile in Denmark, and was eventually imprisoned there. He’s said to have gone insane before his death in 1578. Following Bothwell’s downfall, the castle passed into the hands of the Stewarts, then the Setons. An attack by Oliver Cromwell’s forces in 1650 effectively ended Hailes’ days as a noble residence. Beautifully sited in the heart of East Lothian. Having seen conflict during the Wars of Independence & Oliver Cromwell's invasion, visited by Mary Queen of Scots and her husband to be James Hepburn. The property is currently maintained by Historic Environment Scotland - free of charge. Located close to the East Lothian country town of Haddington, Superb Development opportunity subject to consents - ALL INVESTIGATIONS MUST BE MADE BY THE BUYER TO SATISY THEMSELVES as to the suitability for development.
Auction Details
04 April 2024, 10am-3pm
Timed Online Auction
How to Bid Now
Submit an enquiry now or visit our website for full details on how to BID ON THIS PROPERTY.
Future Property Auctions - Scotland's Largest Land and Property Auction House. Over 400 lots auctioned every 2 weeks including flats, houses, land & commercial.
About this agent

We are Scotland's LARGEST dedicated residential and commercial Property Auctioneer. Our regular programme of large scale property auctions feature lots from throughout Scotland and the wider UK as well as regular properties available for purchase by Private Treaty and Tender. Our Auction calendar features both traditional and online property auctions covering the whole of the country. Each Auction offers a mix of Commercial and Residential property as well as land and other development opportunities. Properties are accepted from both Private and Corporate Vendors alike and we welcome enquires from all potential clients. Future Auctions LTD is a Limited Company registered in Scotland with Registration Number 358597. We are a fully indemnified professional limited company regulated by the Property Ombudsman. Our auctioneers are all members of the National Association of Auctioneers and Valuers thus ensuring our strict code of conduct and professionalism.










